Ramadan is the month of Qur’an, a month of Fasting, a month of Taraweeh, a month of Lailatul Qadar and Itikaf and so much more. Ramadan has so much to offer that one can not just let it pass without benefiting from it. That is why prophet Muhammad PBUH would start preparing for Ramadan months in advance. When Ramadan would approach, the anticipation, excitement and intensity in Ibadah would increase. The month of Ramadan presents us with an invaluable opportunity to rejuvenate, refresh and recharge our Imaan and prepare us for the entire year ahead of us. It is that time of the year where one can undoubtedly benefit regardless of their inner condition. Whether one is spiritually strong or perhaps weak in his faith, it presents us with an opportunity to boost our spirits as well as strengthen our faith and reestablish our connection with our Creator and realigns our purpose in life. Let this month be a time for us to heal our hearts and strengthen our Iman and our relationship with Allah (SWT). Here are some tips on how to boost your spirit this Ramadan

1- Dua & Supplications – Start by making Dua as we approach the month of Ramadan. Supplicate to Allah (SWT) to prepare us for Ramadan and allow us to benefit from its blessings and mercy. Prayer and supplication are very powerful tools that have been given to a believer.  When we pray and supplicate to Allah in every situation, we involve Allah SWT in our affairs. It is not befitting for the All-Mighty to leave a person at his current state when he supplicates to him. Infact, in the Quran the verses regarding making supplication come immediately after the verses on fasting and Ramadan. Allah SWT Says:

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِى وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِى لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ

When My servants ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond ˹with obedience˺ to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided ˹to the Right Way˺. (Quran, al Baqarah 2:186)

2 – Remove the Distractions – When the month of Ramadan begins, a believer does not occupy themselves with anything that would become a distraction for them in attaining the mercy of Allah SWT. Cutting down or completely removing social media, entertainment electronics and any unnecessary communication devices that would become a hindrance to our Ibadah in Ramadan. This does not however mean that one completely avoids everything and completely cuts themselves off from everyone. It refers to anything that would come under the category of “laghw” – anything that is not meaningful. Occupying oneself with the remembrance of Allah and beingful mindful of Allah throughout the day is the key. In fact, this is what taqwa is, as defined by the scholars, to be conscious of Allah SWT which is the  objective of fasting in Ramadan. Allah SWT Says in the Qur’an;

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you1—so perhaps you will become mindful ˹of Allah˺. (Qur’an, al Baqarah 2:183)

3 – Connect to the Qur’an – The book of Allah is the reason why the month of Ramadan became special and blessed. It is not just any book but rather a message whereby All-Mighty Allah SWT speaks to us. It is the means for us to stay connected with our Lord and the most important key for our spiritual upliftment. Ramadan is all about Qur’an and every Muslim should make it a personal goal to connect with the Qur’an. Reading a page or two every day and following up with its meaning will help us to understand the message of the Qur’an. Remember! The responsibility of learning the Book of Allah is a personal journey and we can not simply rely on others to lead us every time. We have to take this upon ourselves to read the Qur’an, understand its message and implement it in our lives. The Qur’an is an ocean of knowledge, wisdom and guidance and the more you study it, the more you will be inspired by it. 

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ قَدْ جَآءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَآءٌۭ لِّمَا فِى ٱلصُّدُورِ وَهُدًۭى وَرَحْمَةٌۭ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

O mankind! Indeed, there has come to you good advice from your Lord, a cure for what is in the hearts, a guide, and a mercy for the believers. (Qur’an, Yunus 10:57)

4 – Education and Inspiration – The month of Ramadan is the time to gain knowledge and learn about our rich islamic culture and personalities. Find a podcast or a lecture series that would inspire you in Ramadan or pick up a book that will keep you in track Whethe it’s the Seerah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH or stories of the Prophets or Companions.  Set a daily goal of at least 15- 30 mins of education and make it a project and include it in your daily routine. Even if you have read it or listened to it before, read it again and it will inspire you and keep you on track. The stories on resilience, courage, piety or general biography of Muslim Heroes will motivate us and help us to stay committed in Ramadan.

5- Spending from your Wealth – In the Month of Ramadan, it has been reported that the Prophet PBUH would spend and give in charity like a fast blowing wind. Giving charity is an expiation of our sins and removes any harm from our way. Spending Ramadan is even more virtuous as the rewards are doubled for every good deed. It also helps us to build empathy which aligns with the spirit of fasting – to share the feelings of others and care for them. Staying hungry and thirsty for the entire day should inspire the believer to think about others and spend on them.  

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَجْوَدَ النَّاسِ، وَأَجْوَدُ مَا يَكُونُ فِي رَمَضَانَ، حِينَ يَلْقَاهُ جِبْرِيلُ، وَكَانَ جِبْرِيلُ ـ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ ـ يَلْقَاهُ فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ، فَيُدَارِسُهُ الْقُرْآنَ فَلَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَجْوَدُ بِالْخَيْرِ مِنَ الرِّيحِ الْمُرْسَلَةِ‏.‏

Narrated by Ibn Abbas RA: The Prophet (ﷺ) was the most generous of all the people, and he used to become more generous in Ramadan when Gabriel met him. Gabriel used to meet him every night during Ramadan to revise the Qur’an with him. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) then used to be more generous than the fast wind. (Sahih al Bukhari 3554)

6 – Giving up one bad habit –  The month of Ramadan is an opportunity for us to change and improve ourselves. Controlling our desires and letting go of our bad habits is one of the objectives of fasting along with other things. Imagine if one controls himself for an entire day from his basic needs of food and water then one can easily accomplish anything. Having the mindset that fasting will also help me to control my bad habits or completely letting them go will put us on the right track. Making a list of things that one wishes to remove from his life and shrinking it down to one at a time can help us to accomplish our goal in Ramadan. Start with one habit and slowly work on it everyday especially after the break of fast. Even if we succeed at removing one bad habit, we will gradually improve at removing other bad habits and start forming good habits.

7 – Making time for your personal Ibadah – It is important for us to take out time for ourselves in ramadan. Apart from social gatherings, collective Ibadahs and community Duas, one needs to make time for themselves in Ramadan. This is your personal time to form a connection and relation with Allah SWT.  It is something that can hardly be achieved in a public setting so one has to find a time when no one else is around. Utilize this time to pray and read the Qur’an. Reflect on its message and do an introspection of your life. During this time, speak to Allah SWT and have a conversation with him. Let this be a time whereby you put all your complaints, weaknesses and problems in front of Allah. Seek help and guidance from the All-Mighty and make your Duas personal with Allah SWT. Speak from the heart and take your time in doing so even if it’s for a few mins, you will see a difference in your life. Allah will bless you with the contentment of the heart and you will truly feel the spirit of Ramadan.